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MILLIONS IN INMATE WELFARE FUNDS RESTORED
Public Interest Law Firm, with pro bono co-counsel Fenwick & West, represented a class of inmates in a successful lawsuit against the County of Santa Clara which alleged misappropriation of funds designated by state law to be used for the benefit of inmates. PILF alleged that the County violated this law by diverting money from telephone commissions away from the Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) and using that money to pay for services that are legally mandated or not primarily for inmates’ benefit. After years of litigation and settlement negotiations, PILF reached a settlement with the County that requires
sweeping policy changes in the administration of the IWF. It provides for the appointment of a consultant to assess inmate needs, creates enhanced oversight and auditing, and will result in $1.5 million in restitution to the IWF, over $1 million in new monies to be deposited to the IWF, and up to $450,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
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